11/15/2003

 
I think I like my new haircut...
posted by Heather 11/15/2003 01:24:00 AM |

11/12/2003

 
Last March, Gloria and I showed up for our first of 12 dog training lessons. She had a golden retriever/yellow lab mix called Maggie. And of course I had Kati. We started meeting 3 times a week with the trainer, Juan Felix, for our lessons. And not long after we decided to meet as often as possible outside of our lesson time to practice together with our dogs. We would take them out in the mornings to the local dog park where we could let them play, run and practice their lessons. We got to be pretty good friends. And when the lessons ended a few months later Gloria and I continued meeting every other morning or so to take Kati and Maggie for walks. It was during these morning walks that Gloria told me how the last November she had hurt her ankle very badly and had to be in bed for a whole month. She was very depressed during this time and unable to do any of her normal routine. But it was during this time that an idea came to her about opening a shop that sold gourmet teas from different parts of the world, China, South Africa, India and Japan. She told me about her dream that she was hoping to actually try to open the shop after the summer.

Well, 9 months after the conception of the shop, the tea shop opened. And now two months after opening, Gloria is enjoying a thriving business.

You should see the little shop. It is so cute, barely the size of a small bedroom. Well lit, organized and clean. Intimate and classy. One wall of dark wood shelves, built by Juan Felix the dog trainer, houses the loose leaf teas in big silver cans. The other side holds teapots, mugs, inscense, gift boxes and other tea accessories. Gloria stands in the middle of the shop by the front door with her scale and cash register.

When you come in Gloria offers you a sample cup of hot tea. And then she proceeds to find out what sort of tea you might prefer. She opens can after can of green, black, and red teas. There are plain teas and tea flavored with cherry, jasmine, citrus, vanilla and even chocolate. Closing your eyes and breathing deep, each tea takes you to a completely different exotic location or forgotten memory. Her high quality teas really are the best I've ever tried.

Jonah and I try to go by the store as often as possible to say hi and sample the tea of the day. We've been giving a lot of tea for gifts lately. If you come visit us in Seville we can definitely take you by the shop.

I do miss going on walks with Gloria and Maggie but I understand. Taking care of a newborn is highly demanding work.
posted by Heather 11/12/2003 10:18:00 PM |